Safe backcountry travel requires training and experience. You control your own risk by choosing where, when and how you travel.

Special Announcement

A special thank you to everyone who has submitted snowpack, weather and avalanche observations this season! The more info we receive from the field, directly translates to a more accurate and ultimately better avalanche advisory we can produce. So please, keep those observations and photos coming!

The Bottom Line

Heightened avalanche conditions exist below about 3,000’ where the avalanche danger is MODERATE. Glide cracks have been active this week, producing large and destructive avalanches in mid-elevation terrain. In areas not effected by glide cracks (above ~3,000’) there is a generally LOW avalanche danger. In certain areas, it’ll take some methodical route finding to safely navigate the maze of mid-elevation glide cracks in order to gain access to the alpine.

It’s becoming difficult to keep track of new glide avalanches versus the old. Observers yesterday noticed at least six cracks (maybe more) that have avalanched in the previous 24 hours including one witnessed by a snowboarder from the top of Tincan common yesterday. Glide cracks continue to threaten a lot of prime ski and snowmachine terrain in the mid-elevations (1,000-3,000’). Keep in mind the debris from these can run into snow free areas and threaten some summer trails.

As long as glide cracks continue to open up, move and release, we will stress the importance of avoidance, which is THE ONLY WAY TO MANAGE THIS AVALANCHE PROBLEM.

A complex of glide cracks was first heard, then seen moving and buckling on the SW face of Eddies yesterday. photo: Ryan Lewthwaite

Secondary Concern

Big crowds (for Alaska anyway!) have been flocking to the Turnagain pass area as spring break for many, has aligned nicely with a good weather window. This makes it all the more urgent to practice safe travel protocol and avoid multiple skiers or riders in avalanche terrain simultaneously. Pay attention to your surroundings and adjacent parties. This holds especially true for snowmachiners where a rider can move over large distances in a very short time. Beyond the human risks, there are some other avalanche hazards to keep on the radar today.

Cornice fall: Very large cornice features loom over many ridgeline and have a tendency to break further back than expected. Give them lots of space, and limit exposure time under them.

Loose snow: Sluffs are fast moving and will be proportional to the slope you are on today. Big terrain will yield big sluffs, particularly on cooler, drier northerly aspects. On slopes with a southern tilt, wet loose avalanches could be initiated later in the day. The biggest threat with both of these is the potential to get knocked off your feet in steep, committing terrain.

Windslabs – On shaded aspects in very steep terrain it is still possible to find an old isolated wind slab. We saw several of these in the 8-12” range on Saturday and Sunday relegated to very steep (45 degrees or greater), unsupported terrain.

Mountain Weather

Mostly clear skies yesterday dominated the region for the 3rd day in a row with no new precipitation. Temperatures peaked in the upper 30’s at 1,000’. Winds were light to non-existent on the ridgetops before bumping up slightly overnight from the SE.

Today we can expect some clouds to move in with a chance for a few flurries this morning at 1,000' but don't expect much for accumulation. Temperatures should reach into the mid-30's and winds will be light from the east in the 5-15 mph range on ridgetops.

A few more clouds may filter in to our area throughout the week but any precipitation appears to be on the lighter side.

PRECIPITATION 24-hour data (6am - 6am)

Temp Avg (F)

Snow (in)

Water (in)

Snow Depth (in)

Center Ridge (1880')

30

0

0

136

Summit Lake (1400')

28

0

0

42

Alyeska Mid (1700')

31

0

0

108

RIDGETOP 24-hour data (6am - 6am)

Temp Avg (F)

Wind Dir

Wind Avg (mph)

Wind Gust (mph)

Sunburst (3812')

26

SE

7

18

Seattle Ridge(2400')

24

SE

3

10

This is a general backcountry avalanche advisory issued for Turnagain Arm with Turnagain Pass as the core advisory area (this advisory does not apply to highways, railroads, or operating ski areas).

Riding status is not associated with avalanche danger. An area will be open to motorized use in accordance to the Forest Management Plan when snow coverage is adequate to protect underlying vegetation. Backcountry hazards including avalanche hazard are always present regardless of the open status of motorized use areas.

(Updated: May 16, 2017 )

AREA

STATUS

WEATHER AND RIDING CONDITIONS

Glacier District

Johnson Pass:

Closed

Placer River:

Closed

Skookum Drainage:

Closed

Turnagain Pass:

Closed

Thanks all for a safe and fun season on the Chugach NF! Stay tuned for the 2017/18 season. #playsafe #snowtosealevel

Twentymile:

Closed

Seward District

Carter Lake:

Closed

Lost Lake Trail:

Closed

Primrose Trail:

Closed

Resurrection Pass Trail:

Closed

Resurrection Pass trail will be open to snowmachine use during the 2017/18 winter season.

Snug Harbor:

Closed

South Fork Snow River Corridor:

Closed

Summit Lake:

Closed

Subscribe to the Turnagain Area Avalanche Advisory:

The information in this advisory is from the U.S. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.
This advisory provided by the Chugach National Forest, in partnership with Friends of the Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center.